The next morning, sunlight entered the small courtyard.
Lin Kai opened his eyes after a full night of cultivation.
His body felt stronger than ever.
The energy from the Li Clan members had been fully absorbed.
[Current Stage: Mid Stage 5] [Void Energy: 890 units] [New passive ability gained: Rapid Recovery – Wounds heal 3 times faster]
He stood up and tested his strength by punching the air.
A small shockwave appeared, cracking the stone wall in front of him.
“Not enough,” he whispered.
“I need more.”
A soft knock came from the door.
Su Mei and Xiao Ling entered together.
Xiao Ling was carrying a small bowl of porridge.
“Big Brother Kai, I made this for you with the money you gave us yesterday,” Xiao Ling said proudly.
Lin Kai took the bowl and ate it slowly.
It was simple but warm.
For the first time in many years, he felt something like peace.
Su Mei looked at him carefully.
“The Li Clan is searching everywhere for you. They have posted your description on every notice board. We should be careful today.”
Lin Kai nodded.
“We will go to the Shadow Exchange tonight. During the day, I want to gather more information about the three big clans.”
Xiao Ling raised her small hand.
“Big Brother, I know many things about the slums. The people there talk a lot. I can help!”
Lin Kai smiled slightly and patted her head.
“Good. Stay close to Su Mei. Don’t go alone.”
After breakfast, the three of them walked out.
Su Mei took them to a quiet teahouse in the outer district.
They sat in a corner and ordered some tea.
While they were sitting, a new person entered the teahouse.
He was a tall, thin young man around 19 years old with sharp eyes and a scholarly robe.
He carried a folding fan and looked intelligent.
The young man noticed Su Mei and walked over with a gentle smile.
“Junior Sister Su Mei, it’s been a while. I heard you went into the Dark Forest recently.”
Su Mei stood up politely.
“Senior Brother Han Wei. Yes, I did. This is my friend Lin Kai.”
Han Wei looked at Lin Kai with interest.
“Lin Kai? The name sounds familiar. Are you the one who fought with Li Tian?”
Lin Kai stayed calm.
“What if I am?”
Han Wei laughed softly.
“Don’t worry. I don’t like the Li Clan either. My name is Han Wei. I am an inner disciple of Cloud Mountain Sect and come from a small merchant family. If you need information or connections, I can help… for a small price.”
Su Mei whispered to Lin Kai, “Senior Brother Han Wei is known for knowing everything that happens in the city.”
Lin Kai thought for a moment.
Having an information broker could be useful.
Han Wei sat down and lowered his voice.
“The Lin Clan is the strongest among the three big clans right now. Their Clan Leader is at Stage 9. Your cousin Lin Feng is their brightest genius. He is already Peak Stage 6 and will break through to Stage 7 soon. The wedding with the City Lord’s daughter is in 25 days. Many powerful people will attend.”
Lin Kai’s eyes turned cold when he heard Lin Feng’s name.
Han Wei continued, “The Li Clan is angry right now. Their Third Elder lost his son and brother last night. They are offering 1000 gold coins for your head. The City Lord’s mansion is staying neutral for now, but they are watching.”
Xiao Ling listened quietly with big eyes.
Lin Kai gave Han Wei a small pouch with ten beast cores.
“This is payment. Keep feeding me information. Especially about the Lin Clan’s movements.”
Han Wei accepted the cores happily.
“Deal. I will send messages through Su Mei.”
After Han Wei left, Su Mei said, “He is trustworthy most of the time, but be careful. He is very ambitious.”
The day passed quickly.
Lin Kai bought some new clothes — simple black robes that would help him blend into the night.
He also bought a low-grade mask to hide his face.
When night came, Su Mei led Lin Kai and Xiao Ling (who insisted on following) toward the underground black market.
They entered through a hidden alley behind an old wine shop.
After going down a long staircase, they reached a big underground hall lit by glowing stones.
The Shadow Exchange was noisy and crowded.
Many rogue cultivators, merchants, and shady figures were trading weapons, pills, stolen goods, and information.
Lin Kai felt many eyes on them, but he ignored them.
First, they went to a weapon stall.
The owner was a one-eyed middle-aged man named Scar.
“Looking to sell or buy, young man?” Scar asked with a rough voice.
Lin Kai took out the swords and spears he took from the Li Clan members.
Scar’s one eye widened.
“These are Li Clan weapons! Hot goods. I can give you 800 gold coins for everything.”
Lin Kai negotiated calmly and finally sold them for 1200 gold coins.
While they were talking, a beautiful young woman in red clothes walked past their stall.
She had fiery red hair and a confident aura.
Many men were staring at her.
She stopped and looked at Lin Kai with interest.
“You are selling Li Clan weapons openly? You have courage. My name is Huo Ling. I lead a small mercenary group called Red Flame. If you are strong, you can join us for hunts.”
Lin Kai shook his head.
“Not interested for now.”
Huo Ling smiled playfully.
“What a cold guy. If you change your mind, look for me in the eastern district.” She winked and walked away.
Su Mei looked a bit jealous but didn’t say anything.
Next, they went to the information counter.
A hooded old woman was sitting there.
“I want information about the Lin Clan’s hidden weaknesses,” Lin Kai said quietly.
The old woman named Granny Ghost laughed.
“That will cost you 300 gold coins.”
Granny Ghost whispered, “The Lin Clan has a secret vault under their main mansion. Only the Clan Leader and Lin Feng have access. They store many high-grade cultivation resources there. Also, Lin Feng has a weakness — he is very arrogant. He often trains alone in the eastern mountain outside the city.”
Lin Kai memorized everything.
While they were leaving the counter, trouble appeared.
A group of five rough-looking men blocked their way.
The leader had a big scar on his face and was at Stage 6.
“Kid, you sold Li Clan weapons here. That means you are the one who killed their people. Hand over all your money and that pretty girl beside you, or we will kill you right here.”
Xiao Ling hid behind Lin Kai in fear.
Lin Kai’s eyes turned cold.
“You chose the wrong person to rob.”
The fight broke out instantly.
The scarred man attacked with a heavy axe.
Lin Kai used Shadow Step and dodged easily.
He countered with Dark Flame Palm, hitting the man’s chest.
The scarred leader screamed as black flames burned his body and his core started getting devoured.
The other four men attacked together, but Lin Kai was much stronger now.
Black tentacles shot out in all directions.
In less than two minutes, all five robbers were turned into dried corpses on the ground.
The entire Shadow Exchange became quiet.
Everyone stared at Lin Kai with fear and respect.
A deep voice came from the second floor.
“Not bad, young man. You have a very unique power.”
An old man with long white hair and a powerful aura appeared.
He was at least Stage 8.
Many people bowed when they saw him.
“I am Elder Black, one of the managers of Shadow Exchange. You have talent. Would you like to become a VIP member? You will get better prices and protection inside our market.”
Lin Kai thought for a moment and nodded.
“Fine.”
Elder Black threw a black token to him.
“Welcome to the Shadow Exchange, young friend. I look forward to seeing what you will become.”
After getting the token, Lin Kai, Su Mei, and Xiao Ling left the underground market safely.
On the way back, Su Mei said softly, “You are getting stronger so fast. Many people will want to be your friend… or your enemy.”
Lin Kai looked at the night sky.
“Let them come. The more enemies, the faster I grow.”
Back in the courtyard, Lin Kai gave some money to Xiao Ling so she could rent a better house for her and her mother.
As he was about to cultivate, the mechanical voice rang again.
[Side Quest progress: 1/3 big clans targeted] [New character registered: Huo Ling, Han Wei, Elder Black, Granny Ghost]
Lin Kai smiled faintly.
His network of people was slowly growing — allies, information sources, and future subordinates.
But in the Lin Clan mansion far away, Lin Feng was sitting in his luxurious room, listening to a report.
“A boy with black flames and devouring power?” Lin Feng laughed coldly.
“Interesting. If he really survived the Dark Forest, then he must be that trash Lin Kai. Good. I will personally crush him during the wedding ceremony. No one from our Lin Clan is allowed to live as a threat.”
The storm in Azure Cloud City was only beginning.
End of Chapter 7